An estimated 12,000 fans gathered at one of the biggest festivals of young adult literature, hosted in Charleston, S.C., November 13 and 14. This year, a new venue was added to the mix to accommodate additional panels and signings. More than 50 authors, including Kwame Alexander, Libba Bray, Soman Chainani, Marissa Meyer, and more, met with fans, discussed books and the writing life on panels, and played games onstage. See photos from the event, including the live concert and parties.

All photos: David Strauss.

Two attendees snap a selfie at the YALLCrawl, a lit crawl along Charleston’s Upper King Street, in which 17 authors were stationed at various venues for book signings.

The crowds were big at this year’s festival, the fifth event based in Charleston, co-founded by Jonathan Sanchez, owner of local independent Blue Bicycle Books.

Teen attendees show off their matching t-shirts, proclaiming #ALLTHEBOOKS…

…as well as the YALLFest logo.

Author Soman Chainani visited Charleston’s Buist Academy School to talk to students about his School for Good and Evil series.

Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander at his book signing.

Authors on the red carpet, including (from l.,) Margaret Stohl, chair of the YALLFest board, Veronica Roth, Pseduonymous Bosch, and C. Alexander London.

R.L. Stine poses for a photo with a Goosebumps fan.

Author Victoria Aveyard signs copies of her YA fantasy novel Red Queen.

A large crowd gathered in the Charleston Music Hall for a perennially popular YALLFest event, Middle Grade Storyball.

Here, authors gather on the stage to participate in Storyball, a game in which the audience submits ideas that the authors, and participating audience members, must turn into stories.

Author Brandon Sanderson signs a stack of his many-paged novels.

On the Jedis vs. Superheroes panel, authors (from l.) Alexandra Bracken, Adam Gidwitz, Brandon Sanderson, Margaret Stohl, Gwenda Bond, and moderator Adri Cowan debate which camp is better.

Author Sabaa Tahir signs a copy of An Ember in the Ashes for an attendee.

Around the festival’s grounds, visitors were encouraged to share titles which book “touches your heart,” or “stirs your emotions.”

A large book tent was just one venue for attendees to purchase books by the participating authors.

Authors (from l.) Nicola Yoon, Sabaa Tahir, and G. Neri take the stage at the YA Smackdown.

Libba Bray finds the snack supply at her book signing insufficient.

Authors (from l.) Renée Ahdieh, Soman Chainani, and E. Lockhart get regal on the Once Upon A(nother) Time: Fairytale Reboots panel.

There was plenty of literary-themed merch for readers to snap up.

Authors play a game of YA-themed Hollywood Squares Live.

Daniel Handler is caught signing books for fans.

The Show Some Emotion panel at the American Theater Cinema venue drew together authors Sabaa Tahir, Victoria Aveyard, Rachel Caine, Meg Medina, Susane Colasanti, Michelle Falkoff, and Kwame Alexander.

A young team of dancers joined YA band Tiger Beat at the closing party.

Additionally, a local teen chorus performed at the live concert.

Authors (from l.) C. Alexander London, Veronica Roth, and Brandon Mull enjoy the YALLFest party.

Authors Soman Chainani and Adam Gidwitz, pictured here with readers in attendance at the fête. Until next year!